Buying Asian snacks online: how to choose with confidence

Buying Asian snacks in the Netherlands may seem straightforward, but products vary widely in flavour, ingredients, texture and pack size. Whether you’re looking for Chinese snacks, dried fruit, rice crackers, sweets or vegetarian snacks, it’s worth looking beyond attractive packaging or a familiar product name.

Three common pitfalls to watch out for:

1. “Natural” doesn’t automatically mean sugar-free. Dried mango, dates and fruit crisps may contain added sugar, glucose or malt syrup.
2. A large pack isn’t always better value. A 500 g bag is ideal for sharing or regular use, but less practical if you want to try a product first.
3. Vegetarian doesn’t tell you anything about allergens or nutritional value. A vegetarian snack may contain soya, wheat, milk or flavour enhancers, for example.

Check a few things before you buy to avoid disappointment and choose a snack that suits the occasion.

What to look for in Asian snacks

1. Check the ingredients and allergen information

Start by reading the ingredients list, especially for snacks with several additives. Look out for ingredients such as sugar, glucose syrup, maltose, palm oil, coconut oil and preservatives. Check the allergen information too.

For example:

• Wuxianzhai Vegetarian Ribs contain soya and wheat, and list the flavour enhancers E621 and E635.
• Want Want Senbei rice crackers contain soya and wheat, and provide 4 g of salt per 100 g according to the product information.
• Daliyuan finger biscuits contain wheat, egg and milk.
• The product information for Jia Jian Cheng Chu dried purple sweet potato says it contains sulphites and is made on a production line that also handles soya and peanuts.

A “may contain traces” warning isn’t just a minor detail. If you have an allergy or intolerance, it’s important to read the full label rather than relying on the front of the pack.

2. Compare nutritional values per 100 g

Packs come in different sizes, so nutritional values per 100 g are the easiest way to compare products.

The figures can vary considerably:

• Titiz candied chestnuts: 194 kcal and 11 g of sugar per 100 g.
• Dried mango: 331 kcal and 61.5 g of sugar per 100 g.
• Three Squirrels banana chips: 548 kcal and 34.4 g of fat per 100 g.
• Want Want rice crackers: 494.7 kcal and 4 g of salt per 100 g.
• Tong Xiang salted plums: 12.2 g of salt per 100 g.

These figures don’t tell you whether a product is right for you, but they do help you compare sweet Asian snacks, savoury snacks and fruit crisps fairly.

3. Consider how you’ll use it, pack size and shelf life

A small 30–85 g bag is handy for travel, a lunchbox or trying something for the first time. Larger packs, such as 500 g of dried longan or 500 g of caramel-flavoured sunflower seeds, are more practical for enjoying at home and sharing.

Also check:

• Whether the snack is ready to eat or needs to be washed or cooked first.
• Whether the packaging is resealable.
• Whether the product needs to be stored in a cool, dry place.
• Whether the texture changes quickly once opened.

Dried longan, for example, is intended for porridge, soup or tea, and the product information says it should be washed and cooked before use. Most sweets, biscuits, rice crackers and dried fruit are ready to eat.

Our recommendations for different shoppers

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners

Titiz Candied Chestnut - 125 g

Why it suits this profile: The 125 g pack is a manageable size if you’re trying Turkish confectionery or chestnut snacks for the first time. These soft, sweet chestnuts are ready to eat straight from the pack.

How this product avoids the pitfalls

The product information clearly lists the ingredients: chestnuts and white sugar. It also states that the product contains none of the 14 main EU allergens.

Main benefits and highlights

125 g, ready to eat, 1.5 g of fat per 100 g and a short ingredients list.

Suitable for: Shoppers looking for top quality

Yan Jin Pu Zi Large Dried Mango Slices Snacks 160g

Why it suits this profile: A straightforward choice for fans of soft, chewy dried mango. According to the product information, it is made up of 83% mango.

How this product avoids the pitfalls

The mango content is clearly stated, so you can check the fruit content claim rather than relying on the product image alone.

Main benefits and highlights

160 g, 83% mango, ready to eat and pleasantly chewy. Do check the sulphites listed in the product information.

Suitable for: Specific uses and regular users

HEYU Sweet Dried Longan 500g

Why it suits this profile: The large pack is a good choice for households that regularly use dried fruit in tea, porridge or soup, rather than eating it only as a snack.

How this product avoids the pitfalls

The instructions say that the product needs to be washed and cooked. That way, you won’t buy it expecting it to be just like ready-to-eat dried dates.

Main benefits and highlights

500 g, one ingredient according to the product information, and suitable for tea, porridge and soup.

Which snack suits the occasion?

• To enjoy with tea: rice crackers, biscuits, White Rabbit sweets or Master Kong egg waffle rolls.
• For on the go: small packs of sweets, plums, dried strawberries or vegetarian snacks.
• For sharing: caramel-flavoured sunflower seeds, banana chips or 500 g brown sugar dough twists.
• For cooking: dried longan, Chinese Hetian dates and dried chestnuts.
• For a savoury flavour: senbei rice crackers, salted plums or vegetarian “ribs” with a sweet and spicy flavour.

Take extra care with texture and usage instructions when choosing snacks for children. Some soft or hard products may need supervision, so always follow the instructions on the pack.

Frequently asked questions about Asian snacks

What are popular Chinese snacks?

Popular choices include rice crackers, dried mango, banana chips, White Rabbit sweets, salted plums, chestnut snacks and biscuits. Flavours range from sweet and creamy to salty, sour or spicy. Check the ingredients list and nutritional values to find a product that suits your taste.

Are dried fruit and fruit crisps the same thing?

No. Dried fruit, such as mango, dates and longan, usually has a soft or chewy texture. Fruit crisps and banana chips are crunchy and may contain oil. Three Squirrels banana chips, for example, list coconut oil as an ingredient, while dried mango contains ingredients such as sugar and glucose syrup.

How should I store Asian snacks once opened?

As a rule, store snacks in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Seal the pack tightly to keep out moisture and help them stay crunchy. It’s often best to eat soft products such as sweets and dried fruit soon after opening. Always check the best-before date and storage instructions on the packaging.